Bioinformatics is an amalgamation of biochemistry and molecular biology along with information technology and is forming a very vital part of modern science. Though it seemed quite weird in the beginning to blend biology and computing but later it was realized that together they can bring great results in front that will prove great advantage to human race.
The result is evident and the demand for people qualified in bioinformatics has increased drastically.
The objective of bioinformatics is to bring life and computer science together. In simple words, we can describe bioinformatics as a subject that solves problem related to life sciences specifically biomedicine by the usage of computational science.
The current situation is that much of the bio-medical sciences now largely depend on the computational methods and studies cannot be completed without the help of the latter.
B.Sc. Bioinformatics aims at joining the life and computational sciences. In the subject, a balance is established so that the students have a solid base in both areas collectively as well as individually. Thus, student can later choose to either work on one area or may prefer to remain multi-disciplinary.
This course is ideal for those who like biology and computing, thus you will be able to explore the best of both subjects and will open doors that would have remain closed in case of study of one subject.
Also, even if biology is your main interest but at the same time you like computing, then you can watch your biology touching new heights by choosing this course.
Eligibility Criteria for Admission to B.Sc. Bioinformatics
- You must have cleared 10+2 examination from a reputed board or educational institution.
- You might be required to qualify an entrance exam.
Duration of the Course
3 years
Institutions Offering B.Sc. Bioinformatics Degree
- Indian Institute of Information Technology : Bioinformatics Division (Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh)
- Madurai Kamaraj University (Madurai, Tamil Nadu)
- SRM University (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
- University of Pune : Bioinformatics Centre (Pune, Maharashtra)
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (Bangalore, Karnataka)
- Pondicherry University : Bioinformatics Centre (Pondicherry)
- University of Calcutta (Kolkata, West Bengal)
- Jamia Millia Islamia (New Delhi)
- Satyam Sri Services, Bangalore( Karnataka)
- University of Hyderabad (Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh)
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology (Pune)
- Mar Athanasios College for Advanced Studies (Thiruvalla, Kerala)
- Bharthiyar University (Coimbatore)
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology (New Delhi)
- Bharatisadan University (Palkalaiperur, Tiruchchirappalli)
- Tamil Nadu GD Naidu Agricultural University (Coimbatore)
Job Prospects
This field is still in its revolutionary stage, so the demand for those qualified in bioinformatics is really very high. There are huge job opportunities waiting after the completion of the course. You can join various sectors like Pharmacy, Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences etc. With pursuing higher studies in the subject you can be a part of numerous research projects going on in this field.
Remuneration
The field of bioinformatics is highly remunerative one. In government research centers and hospitals initial salary is `8,000 to `20,000 depending on the work you are doing and experience. As a professor you get basic salary of `10,000 to `15,000 per month. In private sector pay scale is high as you can get pay scale of `4,50000 to `6,00,000 in pharmaceutical companies or multinational companies.
